Paul Henry apologises to Governor-General

Paul Henry has apologised to the Governor-General over comments
he made on TVNZ's Breakfast this morning.

In an interview with Prime Minister John Key today, Henry asked
if Governor-General Anand Satyanand was "even a New Zealander".

Referring to the next Governor-General to be chosen when Sir
Anand's 's five year term ends this year, Henry said: "Are you
going to choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like a New
Zealander this time? Are we going to go for someone who is more
like a New Zealander this time?"

Sir Anand, New Zealand's first Governor-General of Indian and
Pacific descent, was born and brought up in Auckland. His
grandparents were born in India and had migrated to Fiji, from
where his parents later moved to New Zealand.

Henry said in a statement this afternoon: "I sincerely apologise
to the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, for any offence I may
have caused.

"I am aware that Sir Anand has made an outstanding contribution
to New Zealand."

Henry said anyone who knows him would know that he was a
royalist and believed in the role the Governor-General plays in New
Zealand society.

Key said at a media briefing this afternoon: "Anand
Satyanand is not only a New Zealander, he is a very fine New
Zealander."

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the
implication of Henry's comments seemed to be that "anyone of Indian
or Asian descent cannot be a New Zealander and should not hold
public office unless they look or speak like one".